Transmission seal leak?

[pullinair]

I seem to have a small leak coming from the part circled in red in the attached picture. I can't seem to find a description of the part on google, can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm assuming there's a gasket under there...

Thanks!

 

[Brandon-w]

Looks like a rear main seal. So ur rear crankshaft is likely leaking. Is it oil or tranny fluid?

 

[Dave2018]

That covers the torque converter for the transmission. It provides the access to the bolts holding the torque converter to the flex plate on the engine.

 

[pullinair]

I'm going to take it for a spin and get it warmed up. I just got done cleaning it off, that area was covered in old buildup so the leak I was seeing was picking that up and I couldn't tell if it was tranny or oil. I'll get back to you.

 

[Livinalittle]

+1 on the rear main. Hard to tell in a pic but the oil doesn’t look red.

 

[pullinair]

That covers the torque converter for the transmission. It provides the access to the bolts holding the torque converter to the flex plate on the engine.

I'm guessing there's fluid behind that cover?

 

[pullinair]

I cleaned the cover and surrounding area some more and went for a 14 mile drive. Found oil weeping out from the cover - picture attached. I'm assuming this means the rear main is leaking and will need to be replaced? Anyone have any thoughts on cost?

Thanks for all the help so far!

 

[Brandon-w]

Not sure on the cost. Probly not cheap as they need to split the transmission from engine to replace it. [emoji51]

 

[Livinalittle]

It’s pretty labour intensive. I’d avoid the dealerships and get a few quotes from smaller shops. I would guess between $1000-$1500.

 

[pullinair]

Well, sounds like it'll need to be fixed. Thanks for the input everyone.

I have no idea how long it's been like this as I just bought the truck and haven't put many miles on it. Will driving with it like this cause any lasting damage or do I just need to keep an eye on the oil level?

Edit: The truck has 119k on it, anything I should think about doing to the transmission while it's out? I'm not looking to spend a ton of money...

 

[Brandon-w]

Just keep an eye on the level. And make sure it don't start leaking too bad. Remember it's just sweating horsepower. [emoji13]

 

[pullinair]

Just keep an eye on the level. And make sure it don't start leaking too bad.

I'll have to get it fixed soon, will be towing a car from Georgia to Texas by way of Missouri this summer. Then pulling a 34' Airstream around the country for awhile.

Remember it's just sweating horsepower. [emoji13]

I need all I can get!

 

[Livinalittle]

Well, sounds like it'll need to be fixed. Thanks for the input everyone.

I have no idea how long it's been like this as I just bought the truck and haven't put many miles on it. Will driving with it like this cause any lasting damage or do I just need to keep an eye on the oil level?

Edit: The truck has 119k on it, anything I should think about doing to the transmission while it's out? I'm not looking to spend a ton of money...

If it were a standard it would be a good time to change your clutch and bearing...but since everything is automatic these days i can't think of anything.

 

[Livinalittle]

I'm guessing there's fluid behind that cover?

Sorry i didn't see this message..that cover is just an access cover. You can take it off and have a closer look without causing any problems.

 

[Brandon-w]

I'll have to get it fixed soon, will be towing a car from Georgia to Texas by way of Missouri this summer. Then pulling a 34' Airstream around the country for awhile.



I need all I can get!

Yeah Id get to getting it fixed. Last thing you want is to be in some Po dunk town with a mechanic that just sees a desperate traveler he can get as much cash from as possible.

 

[pullinair]

If it were a standard it would be a good time to change your clutch and bearing...but since everything is automatic these days i can't think of anything.

Sounds good, thanks!

 

[pullinair]

Sorry i didn't see this message..that cover is just an access cover. You can take it off and have a closer look without causing any problems.

I'll do that today, anything I should look for/at while I have it off?

 

[Travelin Ram]

Make sure there’s not a topside leak like the backside of the valve cover gasket dripping down the rear of the engine. The good news if it’s the rear main is they’ll weep forever without getting worse.

 

[Dave2018]

it doesn't look bad enough to change yet. How about a bottle of sealer first? Much cheaper and could be the fix your wallet will like.

 

[Dave2018]

I'm guessing there's fluid behind that cover?

No, just the bottom of the torque converter and the flexplate on the engine. It might allow you to see where the oil is coming from as well. If it's behind the flex plate then it's engine oil, if it's behind the torque converter, more likely tranny.

I don't know if the engine you have has a one piece rear mains or a split rear main. Older engines used to have split two piece rear main seals that could be replaced by pulling the oil pan. It's probably a one piece. And you would have to separate the tranny and the engine to get to it.